Violence has become easy to happen: Situation in Rajshahi is disturbing

It is unwarranted, worrisome and condemnable what happened at Rajshahi University for the last three days centering an altercation between a student of the university and a transport worker over a seat in a bus. About 200 students were injured in an attack. Reportedly, three of the critically injured students were brought to Dhaka for better treatment. The police box and students’ motorcycles were set on fire. Shops of local traders were also burnt.
In fact, no law-abiding citizen can take law into his own hands. The said student could have taken resort to the law if he had felt that he was ill-treated. Likewise, local people could have sought help from police if they were attacked unlawfully. Instead, both sides showed their muscle power. The excesses of law enforcement agencies in controlling the situation are also completely unacceptable. Besides, the silence of university authorities is mysterious. By the time they appeared on the scene, the damage was done. Thus, how will the university authorities avoid their responsibilities?
According to media reports, the situation at the university has been worsening for the last few days as the security of the students was not taken into consideration. The law enforcers also must remember that their responsibility is to protect the people’s lives and properties. They cannot do anything that will lead to deterioration of the law and order situation. But they allegedly did so at Rajshahi University. The students were demonstrating in demand of justice. We consider this as an immediate reaction to the unfolding situation. But why did they go to block road and highway and railway tracks? Since the university authorities have constituted an enquiry committee, we hope it will be able to find out the truth and identify the persons responsible.
Meanwhile, three days after the clash between students and locals, the situation on the campus has become normal. Students have returned to their classes and exams resumed on Tuesday. We do not support the closure of any educational institution even for a day. Bus services have also resumed on the Rajshahi-Dhaka highway.
But the fact remains that violence has become easy to happen.